Protecting Senior Finances With Estate Planning

It is highly recommended for the older person, that their estate planning documents be put in place as early as possible, in order to help guard against elder financial abuse. It is when the older person begins to show signs of a loss of mental capacity, that financial predators step in to take advantage of the older person. We have been […]

Where’s Your Cane Dad?

When my elderly father would come to visit me, I would ask, “Where’s your cane Dad?” He would say that he didn’t need it, and that he was trying to build up his strength. He needed to use his cane though, because he would hang onto me or my brother, or hang onto whatever was close to […]

Don’t Wait Too Long To Update Trust & Fin. DPA

Most (perhaps 99%) of all revocable living trusts and financial durable powers of attorney are defective for asset protection and government benefits planning, when incapacity occurs.   For the older client, we become focused on how we will pay for in-home care,  board-and-care, assisted living facilities and skilled nursing home costs. We are concerned about […]

What Happens If You Don’t Die?

Most estate planning documents are prepared for what happens when we die. They are not prepared for what happens if we don’t die. With regard to the trust, if one spouse dies, for instance, everything goes to the other spouse. When the second spouse dies, everything goes to the children. During the lives of the […]

Some Differences Between Medicaid and Medi-Cal

     Medicare is a Federal health insurance program. Social Security funds are used to pay the costs of the program. Individuals who are over the age of 65, and who have made Social Secuirty contributions during their working lives are entitled to benefits. Part A of Medicare pays for hospitalization, hospice and some health care. It also […]

Choosing an Assisted Living Facility for a Loved One With Dementia

When choosing an assisted living facility for a loved one who suffers from dementia, certain things should be taken into account regarding the facility. More and more assisted living facilities can now accommodate residents with various levels of dementia. Some facilities have separate wings or dementia units. I have visited many assisted living facilities, and have many clients with […]

Veterans Benefits For The Surviving Spouse

The surviving spouse of a wartime Veteran may be eligible for the VA Aid and Attendance Pension Benefit. This benefit can help pay the costs of in home care, board and care and assisted living facilities for the surviving spouse. We must be able to show that the surviving spouse had been married to the Veteran for at least one […]

Update The Language In Your Estate Planning Documents for Asset Protection

The language used in estate planning documents for asset protection and government benefits planning for the older client, is very different from the language used in regular estate planning documents. In fact, I would say that 90% or more of all revocable living trusts and financial durable powers of attorney do not contain the right […]

Plan For Medi-Cal And VA At The Same Time

When we plan for the VA Aid and Attendance Pension benefit, we plan for Medi-Cal at the same time. Medi-Cal and the VA benefit are both asset and income based programs. Medi-Cal pays for the costs of skilled nursing facilities, minus the share of cost paid by the recipient. The VA benefit can help pay […]